Stabilizer and vibration/noise dampening device that attaches to an archery bow

ABSTRACT

The contents of stabilizers for archery bows in the past have been a non-removable material that is permanently sealed inside the stabilizer housing unit by the manufacturer. Most stabilizers are made from tubular aluminum or other lightweight materials. The inside contents of the tubular stabilizers vary, such as fluid, granular steel, granular rubber, lead or solid elastomer, none of which can be moved around, altered or removed or added to by the archer. A unique feature of this device is that the housing of the stabilizer can be easily opened and re-closed securely by the archer, enabling the archer to remove, replace, adjust, change, add to or subtract from the contents, in order to get the exact desired weight, balance and/or vibration and sound dampening effect. An additional unique feature of this design is that the contents can consist of weighted material inside removable soft elastomer modular units of various sizes and/or mass weights. The weighted material can be made of steel or lead shot, ball bearings, weight rods, capsules filled with fluid, or fluid plus weighted pellets, or any combination of these weighted materials. Any or all of these can be suspended and/or sealed or molded inside the soft elastomer modules. This weighted material and/or fluid suspended in the elastomer absorbs vibration and sound, and the vibration and sound then is dissipated and absorbed further by the elastomer, then by the stabilizer housing itself. The archer can use different sized and/or weighted sections or internal modules, packets, that fit and/or stack snugly inside the housing of the stabilizer. The archer can change them easily, at will, to get the desired weight, balance and/or amount of vibration and sound dampening. The size and weight of these removable internal vibration dampening modules are only limited by the inside volume of the hollow chamber of the stabilizer housing that attaches to the bow. Another unique feature of this design is that two or more stabilizer housing of the same or varying sizes and shapes can be joined together, with or without an O-ring compressed between the stabilizer housings, to make one longer modular stabilizer with adjustable internal variable weight components. Also, a system of offset brackets and/or V-bars can be used to secure one or more of these stabilizer units in a position not normally available because of the limitations and configuration of a particular archery bow handle/riser.

This application claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No.60/392,866 filed Jul. 2, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of archery bow stabilizers/noisedampeners/shock absorber/balancers.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Most archery bows tend to vibrate and kick upon release of the arrow,resulting in arm fatigue and, in some cases, even injury, over longperiods of time. The main objective of these inventions are to providebalance for a steady and level hold and to help dampen any inherentvibrations and/or bow kick and to reduce noises that occur at release ofthe arrow. This is accomplished by attaching to the bow various objects,generally known in the industry as “stabilizers.” These are normallyattached to the bow, under the handle, either in back or front, but canalso be attached where the bow limbs meet the handle/riser, or almostanywhere on the bow handle. The contents of ordinary stabilizers arenon-removable by the archer and are sealed inside the stabilizer unit bythe manufacturer. Most stabilizers are made from hollow tubularaluminum, carbon fiber or other lightweight materials. The insidecontents of the tubular stabilizers vary from fluid, granular steel,granular rubber, lead or solid elastomer, none of which can be altered,controlled or removed by the archer, only by the manufacturer.

Representative examples of archery bow stabilizer devices are found inU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,283,109 and 6,494,196.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A unique feature of this device is that the material inside thisinvention can be controlled by the archer.

Another unique feature of this device is that the housing of thestabilizer can easily be opened and re-closed by the archer.

Another unique feature of this device is that the weighted contents canbe removed, replaced, adjusted, changed, added to or subtracted from, inorder to get the precise desired weight, balance and/or vibration andsound dampening effect.

Another unique feature of this device is the variable internal modulesare made of extremely soft, dense elastomer, that may or may not haveweights, or other vibration dampening material, molded inside them. Thecontents of these variable weighted internal elastomer modules caninclude, but are not limited to, steel or lead shot, ball bearings,metal weight rods, capsules filled with fluid, or fluid plus weightedpellets, sealed liquid packets, or packets and/or bags of granularmaterial, or a combination of granular weight inside of a liquid in acapsule or sealed receptacle. Any or all of these can be suspendedand/or sealed and/or molded inside the elastomer or packed snugly insidethe stabilizer housing.

This weighted material and/or fluid suspended in the elastomer absorbsvibration and sound, and the vibration and sound then is dissipatedand/or absorbed further by the elastomer, and then the actual housingfurther absorbs sound and vibration. The archer can use different sizeand/or weighted internal sections or modules, packets, or bags that fitand/or stack snugly inside the housing of the stabilizer, and customizeor change them, at will, to get the exact weight, balance and/or amountof vibration and sound dampening desired personally by that particulararcher.

These packets or capsules can also vary in size and weight and can beused with or without the elastomer encapsulating them. The size andweight of these internal vibration dampening modules, sections, bags orpackets are only limited by the inside volume of the tube or containerhousing that attaches to the bow.

A unique feature of this design is that the contents can consist ofweighted material inside replaceable packets, bags or modular units ofvarious lengths and/or mass weights, without the elastomer. The weightedmaterial can be made of steel shot, ball bearings, weight rods, capsulesfilled with fluid, or fluid plus weighted pellets, etc.

Another unique feature of this design is that two or more stabilizers orhousings can also be joined together with a rubber O-ring compressedbetween them, to make longer, or different configurations of, modularstabilizers with adjustable internal variable weight components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings show different features of a bow stabilizer, according topreferred embodiments of this invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 Shows various shaped stabilizers mounted on an archery bow.

FIG. 2 Shows a cross section view of a tubular hollow stabilizerhousing, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 Shows a cross section view of a threaded insert, according to onepreferred embodiment.

FIG. 4 Shows a cross section view of a smooth insert, according to onepreferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 5 Shows a tubular stabilizer housing, according to one preferredembodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 Shows a threaded insert, according to one preferred embodiment ofthis invention.

FIG. 7 Shows a smooth insert, according to one preferred embodiment ofthis invention

FIG. 8 Shows a view of three tubular stabilizer housings joinedtogether, according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 9 Shows an exploded view of two tubular stabilizer housings at thejoint, according to preferred embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 10 Shows a view of a variety of shapes, sizes and weights of theelastomer modular units, according to preferred embodiments of thisinvention.

FIG. 11 Shows a view of canister-type stabilizers, according topreferred embodiments of this invention.

FIG. 12 Shows a view of other shaped stabilizer housings, according topreferred embodiments of this invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1. Tubular Hollow Stabilizer Housing-   2. Canister-Type Hollow Stabilizer Housing-   3. Canister-Type Hollow Stabilizer Housing Lid-   4. Other Shaped Hollow Stabilizer Housings, such as Rectangular,    Octagonal or Hexagonal-   5. Hollow Chamber-   6. Threaded Hole-   7. Threaded Rod or Stud-   8. Threaded Holes in Archery Bow-   9. Open Threaded End of Tubular Stabilizer Housing-   10. Open Smooth End of Tubular Stabilizer Housing-   11. Smooth Internal Surface of Tubular Stabilizer Housing-   12. Threaded Surface of Stabilizer Housing-   13. Smooth Insert-   14. Threaded Hole in Smooth Insert-   15. Threaded Removable Insert-   16. Threads of Threaded Removable Insert-   17. Threaded Hole in Threaded Removable Insert-   18. Textured (Knurled) Surface-   19. O-Ring Grooves-   20. O-Ring-   21. Elastomer-   22. Hole in Elastomer Modules-   23. Packet Suspended in Elastomer Modules-   24. Ball Weights-   25. Weight Rods-   26. Capsules of Fluid Suspended in Elastomer-   27. Fluid Capsules with Weight Pellets-   28. Set Screw Hole-   29. Set Screw

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 12, bow stabilizer for an archery bow,FIG. 1, is comprised of a hollow stabilizer housing; tubular (1), or ina canister form (2) with lid (3), or other shapes (4), thus creating ahollow chamber (5). Hollow body stabilizer housings (1,2,4) arefabricated from any material that is lightweight and rigid. Referring toFIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, hollow body stabilizer housing (1,2,4)attaches to an archery bow via a threaded hole (6) and a protrudingthreaded rod or stud (7), wherein a threaded hole (8), FIG. 1, isprovided on the archery bow at locations where it is desirable to attachthe hollow body stabilizer housings (1,2,4). Referring to FIG. 1, FIG.10, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, hollow body stabilizer housings (1,2,4) attachto other hollow body stabilizer housings (1,2,4) via threaded holes(6,14,17) and a protruding threaded rod or stud (7), where it isdesirable to attach the hollow body stabilizer housing (1,2,4).

Referring to FIG. 2 through FIG. 9, a hollow stabilizer housing of thetubular configuration (1) can have two open ends (9 and 10). One end(10) can have a smooth internal surface (11). The other end (9) can havea threaded internal surface (12). Insert (13) made of aluminum or otherlightweight rigid material, is attached permanently in the smoothopening (11). Insert (13) has a threaded hole (14) in its center thatwill accept the threaded stud (7) of other stabilizer housings or itsown stud (7) that is permanently affixed. Stabilizer housing (1)attaches to any archery bow (FIG. 1) by the threaded stud (7) thatengages the threaded female coupling (8) of the archery bow (FIG. 1) orother stabilizer housings (1,2,4) to facilitate releasableinterconnection of the stabilizer housing (1) from the bow. Insert (15),FIG. 3, is also made of aluminum or other lightweight rigid material.Insert (15) is threaded (16) to engage threaded end (12) of the hollowstabilizer housing (1). Insert (15) has a threaded hole (17) in itscenter that will accept the threaded stud (7) of other stabilizerhousings (1,2,4) of like design. Insert (15) can have knurling (18) orother textured surface to facilitate removing and replacing threadedinsert (15). Both inserts (13 and 15) have O-ring grooves (19) on theirflat externally facing surfaces, to further facilitate the joining ofother stabilizer housings of like design with O-rings (20), FIGS. 8 and9.

Referring to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, a unique dampener material, made ofextremely soft, dense elastomer (21) is molded into modular units ofvarying shapes, sizes and weights and may or may not have a hole (22) inthe center, depending on what is needed inside the hollow stabilizerhousing (1,2,4). The elastomer modules may or may not have weightsmolded inside them, or other vibration dampening material. The contentsof these variable weighted internal elastomer modules can include, butare not limited to, steel or lead shot or ball bearings (24), weightrods (25), capsules filled with fluid (26), or fluid plus weightedpellets (27), sealed liquid packets, or packets and/or bags of granularmaterial, (23), or a combination of granular weight inside of a liquidin a capsule or sealed receptacle (not shown). Any or all of these canbe suspended and/or sealed and/or molded inside the elastomer (21).

Referring again to FIG. 10, the removable threaded insert (15) isremoved and the elastomer modular units (21) are placed into the hollowstabilizer housing (1) to the personal specifications or needs of thearcher. The threaded insert (15) is then replaced by the archer.

Referring to FIG. 11, hollow stabilizer housing of the canister shape(2) is also made of aluminum or other lightweight rigid material. Thetwo-part canister stabilizer housing can be made up of the threadedcanister body (2) and a threaded housing lid (3) or any locking andunlocking lid system, for easy removal by the archer. The lid (3) canhave knurling (18) or other textured surface to facilitate removing andreplacing the threaded lid (3). Both canister body (2) and lid (3) canhave threaded surfaces (12) that engage each other. Both canister body(2) and lid (3) can have threaded holes (6) in the centers that willaccept the threaded stud (7) of other stabilizer housings (1,2,4) or itsown stud (7) that is permanently affixed. The canister body (2) has asmall threaded hole (28) to accept a like threaded set screw (29). Thissmall threaded set screw (29) is to be tightened to help hold the lid(3) in place against vibration. Canister stabilizer housing (2) and itsthreaded lid (3) attaches to any archery bow (FIG. 1) by the threadedstud (7) that engages the threaded female coupling (8) of the archerybow (FIG. 1) or other stabilizer housings (1,2,4) to facilitatereleasable interconnection of the stabilizer housing (2) from the bow(FIG. 1) or other stabilizer housings (1,2,4). The removable threadedlid (3) is removed and the elastomer modular units (21) are placed intothe canister body (2) to the personal specifications or needs of thearcher. The archer then replaces the threaded lid (3) and the set screw(29) is tightened.

Referring to FIG. 12, hollow stabilizer housing (4), which can be in theshape of an elongated square, hexagon, octagon or any other shape (4),is also made of aluminum or other lightweight rigid material. Bothhalves of this two part canister stabilizer housing (4) of varyingshapes can have threaded surfaces (12) that engage each other for easyremoval of the elastomer (21) by the archer. The two halves of thehollow stabilizer housing (4) can have knurling (18) or other texturedsurfaces to facilitate removing and replacing the threaded canister bodyhalves (4). Both halves have threaded holes (6) in the centers that willaccept the threaded stud (7) of other stabilizer housings (1,2,4) or itsown stud (7) that is permanently affixed in one half. One canister bodyhalf has a small threaded hole (28) to accept a like threaded set screw(29). This small threaded set screw (29) is to be tightened to help holdthe canister body halves together against vibration. This stabilizerhousing (4) attaches to any archery bow (FIG. 1) by the threaded stud(7) that engages the threaded female coupling (8) of the archery bow(FIG. 1) or other stabilizer housing (1,2,4) to facilitate releasableinterconnection of the stabilizer housing (4) from the bow (FIG. 1) orother stabilizer housings (1,2,4).

The removable threaded, or otherwise securable, halves (4) are separatedand the elastomer modular units (21) are placed into the hollowstabilizer housing (4) to the personal specifications or needs of thearcher. The threaded halves are then replaced by the archer and the setscrew (29) is tightened.

1. A unique stabilizer, comprised of a lightweight rigid housing, fordampening the forces acting on an archery bow during the release of anarrow; said housing can have a plug on one end made of similar materialas the housing, which is affixed permanently and protruding from thatpermanent end is a securely affixed threaded rod, which can be affixedto most archery bows at several places, for the purpose of adding massweight for balance, noise reduction and/or absorbing shock, imparted onthe handle/riser, from the release of the bowstring, and inside housingare extremely soft dense elastomer modular units that can be easilyremoved and replaced by the archer with a heavier or lighter unit;housing is then sealed by a removable plug, or lid, which encapsulatessaid soft elastomer units; these elastomer units may or may not havedenser material molded inside, such as steel or lead shot, ballbearings, weight rods, or other dense material for additional massweight, balance, noise and shock absorption; as the bow string isreleased, vibrations caused by the excess stored kinetic energy notabsorbed by the arrow is transferred to the bow handle and are dampenedby the housing of the stabilizer, further dampened by the elastomerunits encased inside the housing, and dampened further by the suspendedweight encapsulated within said elastomer modules, givingomni-directional dampening response and noise reduction, along withvariable weight balancing which aid aiming, all of which can be modifiedand precisely controlled by the archer.
 2. The stabilizer in claim 1 canbe comprised of a housing, that may be in the form of tubes ortorpedo-shaped with removable end plugs; canisters, jar-like in shapewith removable lids, or other shapes that can be uncoupled in the middleor at one end, all in varying sizes and shapes and can be in any shapethat forms a hollow chamber; all housings are able to separate from itscounterpart and all are able to encapsulate different sizes, shapes andweights of soft elastomer units in the hollow chamber; the softelastomer units may or may not have weights or other dampening materialencapsulated within; some of the elastomer units may have differentamounts of weight, for the purpose of varying the balance of saidstabilizer side-to-side or front to back, all of which can be changed,modified, or controlled precisely by the archer.
 3. End plugs can havegrooves manufactured into the exterior flat surfaces, which can be matedwith other stabilizers of like composition; O-rings made from elastomeror other material, may be placed in these grooves, which mate with thestabilizer housings of like manufacture, thus mating the two surfaces ina stable fashion; the O-ring, thus compressed between the two groovedsurfaces of the end plugs of the now joined stabilizer housings, alsoacts as a dampening device and a flexible, but secure, joint for saidstabilizer in claim
 1. 4. Tubular stabilizer housings can be mated withother tubular stabilizer housings, or canister-type housings ortorpedo-shaped housings, or both, or any other shaped hollow stabilizerhousing can be mated with any other shaped hollow stabilizer housing, tocomprise a single unit stabilizer, made up of two or more differing orsimilar housings.
 5. The interior modular units made from soft, denseelastomer may or may not contain the suspended weights as in claim 1 andclaim 2 and may be shifted back and forth or side to side to enable thebalance of said stabilizer housing, to effect the balance of the handleriser on the archery bow, making it more comfortable and more accuratefor the archer to release the bowstring; the archer may simply removeany of the detachable lids or plugs or uncouple the housing of saidstabilizers, thereby removing the contents and redistributing them, oradding to or removing weight from them, until the archer is satisfiedwith the exact balance and dampening effect or noise reduction of saidstabilizer.
 6. The suspended weights of claim 1 and claim 2 that areencapsulated inside the elastomer units are completely surrounded andinsulated from the inside walls of any and all of the stabilizerhousings and these elastomer units, once inside the stabilizer housing,may then be slightly compressed by the reattachment of the end plug orlid or re-coupling of the stabilizer housings and the slight compressionof the elastomer units helps to insure a tight fit of the elastomerunits to the inside walls of the stabilizer housings and allows completecontact between the outside of the elastomer units and the inside of thestabilizer housing, thereby enabling vibration to better transferthrough the walls of the stabilizer housing and into the elastomer unitsfor the desired dampening effect, as opposed to loose elastomer unitsmoving around inside the stabilizer housing.
 7. The stabilizer housingsof claim 1 that have a removable plug and/or threaded part thatuncouples the stabilizer housing, may or may not have set screw(s) thatinsures the plug, lid or coupling will stay affixed in a firm and quietmanner.
 8. If the archer, wishes, he or she may suspend one or more ofthe elastomer units in a position in the stabilizer housing by placingpieces of foam-like material, or other light, non-dampening materialforward or rearward of said unit, until said unit is encapsulatedbetween, before or after said non-dampening material; stacking of thefoam-like material and the elastomer units can continue until thestabilizer chamber is full and the removable plug, lid, or coupling isin place and secured, thereby slightly compressing said elastomerunit(s) and creating a stable position for one or more of the elastomerunits.